Archive for October, 2015

In this production of Chekhov’s final comedic play, the audience members’ eyes or ears aren’t drawn to the lighting or the sound, but are drawn to the stage space and the minimal amount of set dressing. These performers aren’t interested in bells and whistles; they are more interested in the devised nature of this Chekhovian piece. This frenzied piece settles down into something more concrete after the first Act, the performance is diluted by the constant asides to the audience. Female rolesperformances are strong, an ensemble piece is clearly marked out and Bert Haelvoet must be given a hat tip as he portrayed three different personas

this production has come under fire from the print media and the blogging world for not using a director or dramaturge, this is their methodology and we must respect this. For new or established Chekhovians, it would get my recommendation as this audience member was captivated throughout

This show is the perfect post marriage-referendum play as Sonya Kelly, both as writer and performer, lets the audience into a brief period in her personal life, five or six years ago, when herself and her partner Kate, who is Australian, embarked on a journey to get a defacto visa. This one-woman show is documentary theatre first and foremost. Kelly has assembled facsimile documents she brings onstage every night, which is symbolic of her journey and feeds them directly into the show. Kelly has to be commended for finding parallels between her story and the direct provision system. This show is in equal parts funny and heart-warming from start to finish and Kelly places episodes of emotion and stress in the script which humanises the story much more than just a show packed with one-liners.

The set design and lighting design was impressive. Kelly is able to tell her story with minimal props and minimum set dressing. The lighting design was the most impressive element as the lights were an integral part of the set design itself. This show is a high energy fun show and the music choices reflect this. Sound design was minimal, it allowed Kelly to tell her story without an overreliance on sound, for example using a flashlight and her folder Kelly conducted two Skype calls during the show. The design elements create an immersive atmosphere.

Going to see this play is a worthwhile experience as it is very enjoyable and humorous. All the elements in this production are top-notch. I can guarantee that you will leave the theatre having seen a worthwhile show

INTRODUCING THE PANELLISTS:
* Ann Matthews is author of The Irish Citizen Army (2014) several books on women in the Irish Revolution, and an acclaimed play, Lockout. She has lectured in History at NUI Maynooth.
* Leo Keohane lectures in Cultural Theory at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway. A founder of the ICHLC, he is author of Captain Jack White: Imperialism, Anarchism & the Irish Citizen Army (2014).
* James Curry is a PhD Digital Humanities Research Scholar at NUI Galway and an ICHLC founder. His most recent publication (with Ciaran Wallace) is Thomas Fitzpatrick & the Lepracaun Cartoon Monthly (2014). * Gavin…

This afternoon, about 2,000 people gathered by Oxford University’s Sheldonian building for a peaceful demonstration in support of the Syrian refugees, showing that refugees are welcome in Oxford.

The demonstration was chaired by Mark Lynas. A speaker from Oxfam, Dr Hojjat Ramzy of the Oxford Islamic Information Centre, Asylum Welcome, Emmaus Oxford and other charities spoke, as well as current and former asylum seekers from Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan. The head of Oxford City Council confirmed that Oxford would be welcoming refugee families, and called on the government to make funds available to expedite the process.

A speaker from UNISON called attention to the need to force the government to build more houses and abandon the racist policies which all parties espoused in the run-up to the last general election, before publicising the national day of action next Saturday. The author Mark Haddon called on Britain to…